London, UK – April 2017: There is an ever-growing group of marathon runners – from seasoned runners to first timers – who over the last ten years have not only crossed the finish line at the biggest and most prestigious marathon event in the world, but they have done so whilst writing themselves into the record books.

Guinness World Records first partnered with the London Marathon in 2007 to give the most creative and ambitious fun runners the opportunity to set and break world records on marathon day – and boost their fundraising in the process. In that time, applications have jumped from nine in 2007 to a whopping 130 for the 2017 instalment – 73 of which have been approved for the race.

A huge 262 world records have been broken since 2007, and millions of pounds raised for charity. The records featured in the 10th anniversary highlights video include:

• FASTEST. Matt Grunby from Cambridgeshire has set the fastest Guinness World Records title, clocking up an almost elite time of 2 hr 27 min 43 sec in 2016. He achieved the record in the Fastest marathon dressed as a superhero category.

• SLOWEST. John Bedford from Leeds has the honour of taking the longest to achieve a world record – and has a good reason for it too. His record is in the Fastest marathon in a bomb disposal suit category, and he took 9 hr 40 min 01 sec* in 2011. His record was smashed by Iain Church (Oxfordshire) in 2015, who took 6 hr 28 min 6 sec. (*Runners are now required by the Virgin Money London Marathon to finish under 8 hr 15 min)

• MOST CONSECUTIVE SUB 3 HOURS. The hugely impressive Chris Finill, from Surrey, ran 33 sub-three hour London Marathon races between 1981 and 2013. He was 21 when he started and 54 for his final sub-three effort.

• HEAVIEST. Chris Shirley took on the gruelling challenge of carrying 100lbs around the 26 mile course in 2016, achieving a time of 7 hr 43 min 26 sec. The former soldier achieved the record in the Fastest time to run a marathon carrying a 100lb pack category.

• LOUDEST. The Huddersfield University Marching Band marched AND PLAYED their way around the course in 7 hr 55 min 00 sec in 2011, achieving the record for the Fastest marathon by a marching band. The 22-person strong band then shaved almost an hour off their record in 2014, finishing in a time of 6 hr 56 min 48 sec.

• A JAW DROPPING WORLD FIRST! 2008 saw the charity Greenforce fly six Maasai Warriors from their native Tanzania to the UK, to run the London Marathon. It was the first time they had ever left Tanzania. Taking part at the marathon helped the charity raise £114,000, which paid for a fresh water well in the warriors’ village – and the next village along. Having completed the marathon in 5 hr 24 min 47 sec, they also returned to Tanzania with a world record for the Fastest group of Maasai Warriors to complete a marathon.

• WACKIEST. Bob Johnson (58, from the Scottish Boarders) must be the most dedicated and skilled runner the 10 year partnership has seen. He has run 16 London Marathons in a row now, and in 2015 he achieved the record for the Fastest Marathon as a three-dimensional bird – an Ostrich costume that really must be seen to be believed – achieving a time of 5 hr 55 min 8 sec. His impressively detailed costumes also include a two-person canoe and a Dalek. Bob can be seen running as a giant Mr Potato head on 23 April.

Another fantastic story from the last 10 years is that of Mr Steve Chalke. On a fundraising mission in 2011, Steve’s campaign for The Oasis Charitable Trust gathered incredible momentum and with the support of fundraising functions and events, press coverage and social media, he managed to raise £2,330,159.38, a fantastic and selfless achievement that earned him the record for the Most money raised by a marathon runner.

On 23 April 2017, 73 world records are being attempted, featuring 86 runners. A team of Guinness World Records adjudicators will be on hand to check costumes, verify times and confirm successful runners as official GWR titleholders, earning them a place in the 2018 book out in September.

Guinness World Records will be providing live results from the finish line of the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon (23 April) via Twitter @GWR.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OR ON THE 2017 RECORD ATTEMPTS, PLEASE CONTACT:

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

Press Office

Press@guinnessworldrecords.com

Twitter - @GWRPRESS

Notes to Editors:

All official record attempts taking place at the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon are:

Fastest marathon dressed as a Star Wars character (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a telephone box

Fastest marathon dressed as a chef x5

Fastest marathon carrying a household appliance (white goods)

Fastest marathon dressed as a car (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a nun (female)

Fastest marathon in film character costume (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a medical instrument

Fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean (male)

Fastest marathon in a three-person costume

Fastest marathon dressed as a three dimensional aircraft (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a monk (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a telephone box x2

Fastest marathon dressed as a fruit (female) x3

Fastest marathon dressed as a television character (female)

Fastest marathon in a four-person costume

Fastest marathon dressed as a snowboarder

Fastest marathon in a five-person costume

Fastest marathon dribbling two basketballs

Fastest marathon in Brownie Guide uniform

Fastest marathon carrying a 100 lb pack

Fastest marathon dressed as a three dimensional toy (male)

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Fastest marathon dressed as a love heart (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a DNA double helix (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a star

Fastest marathon dressed as a Bishop

Fastest marathon wearing chainmail (upper body) x2

Fastest marathon wearing flip-flops

Fastest marathon dressed as a cheerleader (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a dragon (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a tree

Fastest marathon in a suit

Fastest marathon dressed as a witch (female)

Fastest marathon dressed in a rugby kit

Fastest marathon dressed as a shoe (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a Mr. Potato Head

Fastest Marathon in a Toilet Roll Costume (Female)

Fastest marathon carrying a 60 lb pack

Fastest marathon in a sleeping bag (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a swimmer

Fastest marathon dressed in a full body dinosaur outfit (female)

Fastest marathon wearing wellington boots

Fastest marathon dressed as a monk (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a padlock

Fastest marathon dressed as an elf (male)

Fastest marathon in a martial arts suit (male)

Fastest marathon wearing riot gear (male)

Fastest marathon female dressed as a gingerbread girl

Fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a baby (female)

Fastest marathon in a two-person costume x2

Fastest marathon dressed as the Grim Reaper (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a framed painting (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a fast food item

Fastest marathon in a full-body animal costume (male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a Viking

Fastest marathon run by a married couple - aggregate time

Fastest marathon dressed as a cartoon character (female)

Fastest marathon dressed as a mobile phone (female)

Fastest marathon in a three-person costume

Fastest marathon dressed as a nun (male) x2

Fastest marathon with two runners handcuffed together (male/male)

Fastest marathon dressed as a French Maid (male)

About GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

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